Starlighters presents ‘Miss Firecracker Contest’

     Starlighters II Theatre will soon open their summer production of “The Miss Firecracker Contest” by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley. This Southern gothic comedy tells the story of Carnelle Williams, a young woman with a tarnished reputation trying to leave her small Mississippi town in a blaze of glory by winning the Miss Firecracker Contest. The situation becomes more complicated with the return of her cousins, Elain, who is seeking a way out of her unfulfilling marriage, and Delmount, recently released from a mental hospital. This trio is joined by a group of other eccentric characters as they all try to find love and acceptance despite their painful pasts.

     Performances will take place June 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and July 1, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $8 for students with the code FIRE8. Tickets can be purchased online now at bit.ly/seemissfirecracker. The box office will open for in-person and phone sales starting June 11. Box office hours are 5-9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The box office is located inside the theatre at 200 E. Main St. in Anamosa, and can be reached at 319-462-4793.

Cast

     • Carnelle Scott, played by Jennifer Beall

     • Popeye Jackson, played by Alyssa Chapman

     • Elain Rutledge, played by Heather Sims

     • Delmount Williams, played by Matt English

     • Mac Sam, played by Clayton Lubben

     • Tessy Mahoney, played by Alanna Lawrence

     “The Miss Firecracker Contest” is directed by Kathryn Williams, with assistance from Basillio Light. This production is sponsored by Citizens Bank and produced by special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, Inc., New York.

     “The Miss Firecracker Contest” was originally produced in 1980 at the Victory Theater in Los Angeles. An off-Broadway production opened in 1984 staring Holly Hunter as Carnelle. The play was later adapted into a movie with Holly Hunter reprising the role of Carnelle, and featuring Mary Steenburgen as Elain.